Venus emerges with eyes the color of blue-green water falling in rivulets between breasts riding at
high tide, through pubic hair tangled like wet seaweed. A smile reveals rows of white-capped teeth.

On tanned legs a woman walks along the water's verge, spine straight, arms swinging, marching
to the heartbeats of solitude, his isolation; in his confrontation with himself. He finds an opening. He
finds that what animates his depths is a drum. In plaid shorts and t-shirt, a man jogs with his dog in
tow. impressing the smooth dark sand, an elderly couple walks in tandem, content to be together.
No goddess, no god, no pet.